Decomposition of wood-residue amendments in revegetated bentonite mine spoils
- Dept. of Agriculture, Cheyenne, WY (United States)
- Wyoming Dept. of Environmental Quality, Cheyenne (United States)
Restoration of decomposition processes in revegetated mine spoils is important in ensuring the long-term success of their reclamation. This study was conducted to determine the decomposition of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderose Laws) wood residue amendments in a revegetated saline-sodic bentonite mine spoil. A buried-litter-bag technique was used to assess the effect of wood-residue amendment and N-fertilizer rates on the decomposition of wood residue in revegetated bentonite spoils. Decomposition differed significantly between years and averaged 8.8, 10.4, 16.1, and 25.3% after 1, 2, 3, and 5 years, respectfully, across all wood-residue treatments. Decomposition increased significantly as N-fertilizer rates increased, averaging 10.6, 14.3, 18.8, and 20.8% over 5 years for the 0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 kg N Mg{sup {minus}1} of wood residue treatments, respectively. Wood-residue amendment rate did not significantly influence decomposition, even though it significantly increased spoil water content. Decomposition processes appear to be proceeding despite the unfavorable physical and chemical characteristics of the spoil and should ensure the reclamation success of these disturbed ecosystems.
- OSTI ID:
- 5811184
- Journal Information:
- Soil Science Society of America Journal; (United States), Vol. 55:1; ISSN 0361-5995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Evaluation of reclaimed abandoned bentonite mine lands
Effect of amendments on chemical properties of bentonite mine spoil
Related Subjects
SPOIL BANKS
LAND RECLAMATION
WOOD WASTES
DECOMPOSITION
BENTONITE
MINING
PINES
SOILS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CLAYS
CONIFERS
INORGANIC ION EXCHANGERS
ION EXCHANGE MATERIALS
MATERIALS
PINOPHYTA
PLANTS
SOLID WASTES
TREES
WASTES
540250* - Environment
Terrestrial- Site Resource & Use Studies- (1990-)